NSI Daily Recap: Day 1

After a day of pre-conference courses and a poolside networking event, Naviance co-founder and Hobsons’ President of Advising and Admissions Solutions, Stephen M. Smith, welcomed NSI attendees and thanked them for their devotion to helping students prepare for life after high school.

“On a daily basis, you’re facing administrative headaches, expectations that can be unrealistically high or depressingly low, and in some communities, deep skepticism and even despair about the future,” Smith said. “But you and tens of thousands of other counselors and educators across the Naviance Network set those obstacles aside to give your students the gift of a better life. It’s hard to imagine anything more rewarding than that.”

Earlier in the day, conference participants attended hands-on sessions to build their skills in using Naviance and to learn from each other how to make the most of the tool to help their students.

While Naviance users worked in these sessions, Hobsons’ higher education partners were participated in an Introduction to Naviance session.

Mid-day, attendees took a break to soak up some sun and splash in the pool or network with colleagues and learn more about NSI 2016’s Diamond partners: University of Alabama, University of Oregon, and the University of Tampa. Attendees also relaxed and recharged in The Hobsons Hub, taking quick selfies to post on social media and participating in a #WhyNSI Twitter contest.

Members of the AASA Collaborative also began their meeting on-site at NSI, bringing together superintendents and educational leaders from around the country to talk about challenges and opportunities to improve schools. AASA members will join NSI attendees throughout the conference.

In the late afternoon and evening, conference participants attended the College and Partner Fair to meet higher education representatives and build connections with our partners. The day concluded with a fun-filled Welcome Reception to officially kick off #NSI2016!

View photos from the day on our Facebook Page. Want to join the fun next year? Subscribe to the NSI e-mail list to learn about early bird discounts, speaker and session details, and other special promotions planned for NSI’s 10th anniversary conference.